System Dynamic Model for Sustainable Road Rehabilitation Integrating Technical, Economic, and Environmental Considerations
Publication: Journal of Management in Engineering
Volume 38, Issue 5
Abstract
A system dynamics (SD) model was developed to identify the best road strategies for network-level maintenance and rehabilitation, considering technical, environmental, and economic grounds. This SD model uses triangulated research methods and data [e.g., interviews, policy analyses, and the VIZIR Pavement Distress Assessment Method (VPDAM)] to determine and allocate maintenance budgets in specific environmental and operational conditions. The system is tested via a case study at the Tunisian Radès Road Port (RRP). Baseline analyses of the simulation show the networked effects of key factors, including increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, rehabilitation deficits, and climate change with reduced average pavement life. The SD model is calibrated and validated using data from RRP rehabilitation operations from 2020 until 2040. The model is coupled with an optimization module that recommends three optimal pavement solutions for the RRP and three pavement management systems (PMS) policies for improved sustainability. The model is based on sound technical principles, enhancing road function, sustainability, and cost savings. These findings contribute to the literature in PMS, SD modeling, sustainable development, and engineering management.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors would sincerely like to thank the Millennium Challenge Corporation for providing the economic, technical, and climate data used in this study; the Radès Port management authority for giving specialist interviews; the École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS) and Concordia University researchers for consulting on the project; and the System Dynamics Society for their invaluable programming assistance in building the SD model used in the analysis. The generous contribution of these individuals and organizations made this research possible.
References
Abbas, K. A., and M. G. H. Bell. 1994. “System dynamics applicability to transportation modeling.” Transp. Res. Part A Policy Pract. 28 (5): 373–390. https://doi.org/28(5),373-390.
Ali, A. 2018. “Ashraf Ali.” Accessed July 25, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2436/622080.
Doan, D. T., and T. Chinda. 2016. “Modeling construction and demolition waste recycling program in Bangkok: Benefit and cost analysis.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 142 (12): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001188.
ERA (Ethiopian Roads Authority). 2013. Pavement design manual. Roads authority ethiopian, 281. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: ERA.
Etriki, J. 2013. Vol. 174 of Municipal solid waste management and institutions in Tripoli, Libya: Applying the Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs) concept. Hull, UK: Univ. of Hull. https://doi.org/10.1038/1741121a0.
Fallah-Fini, S., H. Rahmandad, K. Triantis, and J. M. de la Garza. 2010. “Optimizing highway maintenance operations: Dynamic considerations.” Syst. Dyn. Rev. 26 (23): 216–238. https://doi.org/10.1002/sdr.449.
Fallah-Fini, S., K. Triantis, H. Rahmandad, and J. M. de la Garza. 2015. “Measuring dynamic efficiency of highway maintenance operations.” Omega 50 (Jan): 18–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2014.07.001.
France-Mensah, J., and W. J. O’Brien. 2018. “Budget allocation models for pavement maintenance and rehabilitation: Comparative case study.” J. Manage. Eng. 34 (2): 05018002. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000599.
Ghibaudo, M. 2018. “Optimisation du choix des interventions sur un réseau routier existant.” Master’s thesis, École de technologie supérieure, Université du Québec.
Guevara, J., M. J. Garvin, and N. Ghaffarzadegan. 2017. “Capability trap of the US highway system: Policy and management implications.” J. Manage. Eng. 33 (4): 04017004. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000512.
Institut National de la Météorologie. 2021. “Weather forcasting.” Accessed March 12, 2021. https://www.meteo.tn/.
Jenn, A., I. L. Azevedo, and P. Fischbeck. 2015. “How will we fund our roads? A case of decreasing revenue from electric vehicles.” Transp. Res. Part A Policy Pract. 74 (Apr): 136–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2015.02.004.
Kang, S., S. Kim, S. Kim, and D. Lee. 2020. “System dynamics model for the improvement planning of school building conditions.” Sustainability 12 (10): 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104235.
Li Hao, J., M. J. Hill, and L. Yin Shen. 2008. “Managing construction waste on-site through system dynamics modelling: The case of Hong Kong.” Eng. Constr. Archit. Manage. 15 (2): 103–113. https://doi.org/10.1108/09699980810852646.
Mallick, R. B., M. J. Radzicki, J. S. Daniel, and J. M. Jacobs. 2014. “Use of system dynamics to understand long-term impact of climate change on pavement performance and maintenance cost.” Transp. Res. Rec. 2455 (1): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3141/2455-01.
National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission. 2009. Paying our way: A new framework for transportation finance. Final Rep. Washington, DC: National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission.
Norhidayah, A. A., A. A. Saad, M. F. M. Sharif, F. C. Ani, M. Y. T. Ali, M. S. Ibrahim, and Z. Ahmad. 2017. “Stress analysis of a stretchable electronic circuit.” Procedia Eng. 184 (Jan): 625–630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.04.127.
OECD (Organisation for EconomicCo-operation and Development). 2019. “OECD competition assessment reviews Tunisia.” Accessed September 18, 2019. http://www.oecd.org/daf/competition/competition-assessment-reviews-tunisia.htm.
Pellecuer, L., G. J. Assaf, and M. St-Jacques. 2014. “Influence of pavement condition on environmental costs.” J. Transp. Eng. 140 (10): 04014050. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)TE.1943-5436.0000721.
RDA (Roads Develoment Agency). 2014. Pavement design manual. Hargeisa, Republic of Somaliland: RDA.
Rong, L. 2004. “Using system dynamics in decision support for sustainable waste management.” Master of Engineering thesis, Dept. of Civil Engineering, National Univ. of Singapore.
Ruiz, A., and J. Guevara. 2020. “Environmental and economic impacts of road infrastructure development: Dynamic considerations and policies.” J. Manage. Eng. 36 (3): 04020006. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000755.
Shepherd, S. P. 2014. “A review of system dynamics models applied in transportation.” Transportmetrica B 2 (2): 83–105. https://doi.org/10.1080/21680566.2014.916236.
Soro, N. 2020. Étude comparative aux niveaux technique, économique et environnemental entre le recours aux revêtements en béton versus en enrobé pour les chaussées fortement sollicitées en Afrique subsaharienne par. Montréal: École de Technologie Supérieure Université du Québec.
Sterman, J. D. 2000. Business dynamics. New York: McGraw-Hill. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351152723-7.
Sterman, J. D. 2002. “All models are wrong: Reflections on becoming a systems scientist.” Syst. Dyn. Rev. 18 (4): 501–531. https://doi.org/10.1002/sdr.261.
Ventana. 2021. “Licensed Vensim users.” Accessed November 12, 2019. https://www.vensim.com/documentation/.
Weber, T. A. 2014. “On the (non-)equivalence of IRR and NPV.” J. Math. Econ. 52: 25–39.
Windfinder.com. 2020. “Weatherbase.” Accessed December 28, 2020. https://fr.windfinder.com/windstatistics/tunis-carthage.
World Bank. 2011. “Adaptation au changement climatique et aux désastres naturels des villes côtières d’Afrique du Nord. Phase 1: Évaluation des risques en situation actuelle et à l’horizon 2030 pour la vallée du Bouregreg.” Accessed August 5, 2018. www.preventionweb.net/publications/view/21069.
WSP (Williams Sale Partnership). 2020a. Millennium Challenge Corporation, task 23: Additional transport investments on Port of Rades, Tunisia. Montreal: WSP.
WSP (Williams Sale Partnership). 2020b. Sfax/gargour port logistics zone study, task 24: Rades logistics zone environmental assessment, Tunisia. Montreal: WSP.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 24, 2021
Accepted: Mar 3, 2022
Published online: Jun 22, 2022
Published in print: Sep 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Nov 22, 2022
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
Cited by
- Miyoung Uhm, Giwon Shin, Hyoungkwan Kim, H. David Jeong, Hongjo Kim, Exploring the Long-Term Impact of Preventive Road Treatments on Municipal Highways, Journal of Management in Engineering, 10.1061/JMENEA.MEENG-5885, 40, 4, (2024).
- Juan Manuel del Campo Yañez, Michelle Min Ji Lee, Omar Swei, Sustainable Infrastructure Is a Two-Way Street: Balancing Environmental and Condition Performance Goals, Journal of Management in Engineering, 10.1061/JMENEA.MEENG-5225, 39, 3, (2023).